Toilet Paper Wetting Device

ABSTRACT

A toilet paper wetting device for moistening a desired amount of toilet paper. The device includes a housing that can be mounted onto a wall adjacent to a roll of toilet paper in a bathroom. Water is supplied to the housing from a water source and can be dispensed as a fine mist by a spray mechanism within the upper end of the housing. The housing further includes a reservoir in which an antibacterial or scented solution can be stored. The reservoir is in fluid communication with the spray mechanism so that the solution can also be dispensed. The spray mechanism is actuated via one or more levers disposed on the housing. The lower end of the housing includes an upper surface with slots that allow liquid to pass into a removable tray slidably positioned on the lower end of the housing that collects excess liquid.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.61/970,055 filed on Mar. 25, 2014. The above identified patentapplication is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety toprovide continuity of disclosure.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a device for moistening toilet paper.More specifically, the present invention provides a housing having aspray mechanism adapted to dispense water and an antibacterial orscented solution in order to moisten a piece of toilet paper.

People commonly use toilet paper to clean themselves when using therestroom. However, overuse of toilet paper can cause discomfort sincetoilet paper is dry and scratchy. Further, toilet paper is dry and maynot be able to fully clean and sanitize the user. Toilet paper is alsonot scented so does not help to freshen the user.

Some people choose to use wet wipes for improved sanitization. Further,wet wipes may be scented which provides a fresh smell that helps theuser to feel confident in their cleanliness. However, wet wipes are notconstructed so as to be flushed in a toilet, as wet wipes do notdisintegrate in water. Thus, flushing wet wipes may cause plumbingproblems such as clogged pipes.

The present invention provides a toilet paper moistening device. Thedevice comprises a housing mountable to a wall in a bathroom, and ispreferably mounted adjacent to a toilet paper holder. The housingcomprises an upper end, a midsection, and a lower end. The upper endincludes a reservoir that is used to hold a scented or antibacterialsolution and that is in fluid communication with a spray mechanism.Additionally, a water source can be connected to the housing so as toprovide water to the spray mechanism. The spray mechanism is positionedon the upper end of the housing and includes a nozzle thereon that isused to dispense a mist of water and optionally the solution within thereservoir. The spray mechanism is actuated via one or more levers on thehousing. The lower end of the housing includes an upper surface havingslots thereon through which water can flow, wherein a removable tray ispositioned thereunder for collecting excess liquid.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

Devices have been disclosed in the prior art that relate to toilet paperwetting devices. These include devices that have been patented andpublished in patent application publications. These devices generallyrelate to toilet paper wetting devices that dispense water. Thefollowing is a list of devices deemed most relevant to the presentdisclosure, which are herein described for the purposes of highlightingand differentiating the unique aspects of the present invention, andfurther highlighting the drawbacks existing in the prior art.

One such device, U.S. Pat. No. 3,776,773 to Taft discloses a tissuepaper moistening device. The device includes a vertical member mountedbelow a roll of toilet paper having a retractable arm thereon. The armincludes a liquid source on an end thereof that is adapted to moistenthe tissue paper. The liquid source comprises a nozzle spaced from thearea in which the paper is positioned so that the nozzle can be used todispense liquid in order to wet the tissue paper. Thus, Taft fails todisclose a toilet paper wetting device having a reservoir in whichantibacterial or scented solutions can be stored.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,451,943 to Nibler discloses a device for wetting toiletpaper. The device includes a water dispenser disposed on a toilet andincludes a secondary reservoir in low volume flow. The water isdispensed in a sheet and a lower portion of the device includes acontainer for collecting the water. Excess water is dispensed to thetoilet bowl. Thus, Nibler discloses a water dispensing device attachableto a toilet that simply dispenses water for the user. The device doesnot include a reservoir for an antimicrobial or scented liquid to bemixed with water.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,044,556 to Suzuki discloses a toilet paper wettingdevice. The device includes a tank having a heater for heating the watertherein and a nozzle for dispensing the warm water to wet a piece oftoilet paper. A valve is provided for opening and closing the nozzle asdesired by the user. Thus, Suzuki merely discloses a system fordispensing water for a user, and does not include a device having anadditional reservoir for scented or antimicrobial solutions.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,675,405 to Harm discloses a toilet paper misting device.The device includes a tube for transporting water from a water source tothe housing of the device. The device can be secured to a toilet via abracket and fasteners. A nozzle is disposed on the housing and isadapted to release a mist of cooled water onto a piece of toilet paper.Thus, Harm simply dispenses water from a water source and does notprovide a reservoir for scented or antibacterial solutions.

Finally, U.S. Pat. No. 7,162,754 to Haile, Jr. discloses a device formoistening toilet paper. The device includes a mounting base securableto a toilet tank or wall. A valve having a nozzle thereon is adapted toemit a spray when the valve is activated using a lever. A paper supportis used for supporting toilet paper over the nozzle. A drain pan ispositioned below the nozzle and catches excess water, wherein the drainpan releases excess water to the toilet bowl. Thus, Haile, Jr. does notdisclose a device having a reservoir in which a scented or antibacterialsolution can be positioned.

These prior art devices have several known drawbacks. The devices in theprior art primarily provide toilet paper wetting devices that dispenseonly water. Thus, the toilet paper wetting devices cannot dispensescented or antibacterial solutions, and do not include additionalreservoirs for storing such solutions. Further, devices in the prior artreturn excess water to the toilet bowl, which requires the use ofadditional tubing disposed on the exterior of the toilet, which mayprovide an unappealing appearance and may be inconvenient for the user.

In light of the devices disclosed in the prior art, it is submitted thatthe present invention substantially diverges in design elements from theprior art and consequently it is clear that there is a need in the artfor an improvement to existing toilet paper wetting devices. In thisregard the instant invention substantially fulfills these needs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types oftoilet paper wetting devices now present in the prior art, the presentinvention provides a new toilet paper wetting device wherein the samecan be utilized for providing convenience for the user when wettingtoilet paper.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new andimproved toilet paper wetting device that has all of the advantages ofthe prior art and none of the disadvantages.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a toilet paperwetting device adapted to dispense water and a scented or antibacterialsolution.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a toilet paperwetting device having a spray mechanism with a nozzle thereon that isadapted to dispense a mist of water and an antibacterial solution when auser actuates a lever on the toilet paper wetting device.

An additional object of the present invention is to provide a toiletpaper wetting device comprising a refillable reservoir in which ascented or antibacterial solution can be stored.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a toilet paperwetting device comprising a removable tray that collects excess liquid.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a toilet paperwetting device having a drawer in which additional containers ofantibacterial or scented solution can be stored.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a toilet paperwetting device that may be readily fabricated from materials that permitrelative economy and are commensurate with durability.

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention willbecome apparent from the following detailed description taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS

Although the characteristic features of this invention will beparticularly pointed out in the claims, the invention itself and mannerin which it may be made and used may be better understood after a reviewof the following description, taken in connection with the accompanyingdrawings wherein like numeral annotations are provided throughout.

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the toilet paperwetting device mounted on a wall.

FIG. 2 shows a cross sectional view of the toilet paper wetting deviceof the present invention.

FIG. 3 shows a close-up view of the slots on the toilet paper wettingdevice of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference is made herein to the attached drawings. Like referencenumerals are used throughout the drawings to depict like or similarelements of the toilet paper wetting device of the present invention.For the purposes of presenting a brief and clear description of thepresent invention, the preferred embodiment will be discussed as usedfor wetting toilet paper. The figures are intended for representativepurposes only and should not be considered to be limiting in anyrespect.

Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown a perspective view of anembodiment of the toilet paper wetting device mounted on a wall. Thetoilet paper wetting device 11 comprises a housing 12 having a lowerend, a midsection, and an upper end 14. The housing 12 has asubstantially hollow interior volume. The housing 12 includes a rearwall that can be positioned flush against a wall 21 or other similarsupport surface. The rear wall is substantially flat so that it can beplaced flush against a wall 21 and secured thereto by any suitablefastener. For example, the rear wall of the housing 12 can be adhesivelysecured to a wall 21, or can be secured via brackets and nails or bolts.

The upper end 14 of the housing 12 encloses a reservoir in which asolution can be stored so that it may be dispensed by the toilet paperwetting device of the present invention. The solution is preferably anantibacterial or a scented solution. The reservoir within the upper end14 of the housing 12 is accessible via a panel 30 thereon. The panel 30may be pivotally secured to the upper end 14 of the housing 12 by meansof a hinge, or may be entirely removable therefrom. The reservoircomprises an opening in which solution can be added to the reservoirthat can be accessed when the panel 30 is removed or pivoted. In thisway, the reservoir can be refilled by accessing the opening on thereservoir by moving the removable panel 30.

The reservoir is in fluid communication with a spray mechanism having anozzle 16, wherein the nozzle 16 is positioned on the exterior of thehousing 12 on a front portion thereof. The nozzle 16 produces a finemist of water and the solution so that toilet paper can be moistenedwithout disintegrating. The nozzle 16 is directed downward towards thelower end of the housing 12. A control 20 is positioned on the upper endof the housing 12 that allows a user to control whether the solutionwithin the reservoir will be dispensed in addition to water. Thus, thespray mechanism can be used to dispense only water or water and thesolution within the housing.

The spray mechanism is preferably mechanical and is actuated via one ormore levers 17 on the housing. Preferably, a lever 17 is positioned oneach side of the upper end of the housing 12, wherein the user canactuate the levers 17 to operate the spray mechanism so that water andoptionally the solution is dispensed from the nozzle 16 thereon. Anytype of spray mechanism can be used that produces a fine mist of liquid.Water is supplied to the spray mechanism via a water line, and solutionis supplied to the spray mechanism from the reservoir. Thus, thesolution and water from the water source flow to the spray mechanism andcan be simultaneously dispensed when the lever 17 is actuated.

The lower end of the housing 12 is substantially rectangular andincludes an upper surface 15 adapted to collect excess liquid dispensedfrom the nozzle 16. The upper surface 15 includes one or more openingsor slots 28 thereon that allows liquid to pass therethrough. The uppersurface 15 is preferably concave so that water and solution dispensedfrom the spraying mechanism will be funneled towards a central portionof the upper surface 15, and thus towards the slots 28. Underneath theupper surface 15 is a removable tray 19. In this way, excess liquid canpass through the slots 28 on the upper surface 15 of the lower end forcollection in the tray 19. Once the tray 19 is filled with water orother liquid, the user may remove the tray 19 in order to dispose of theliquid therein.

The lower end of the housing 12 may further include one or more drawers18 thereon. The drawer 18 includes a bottom wall, upstanding sidewalls,and an open upper end, defining an interior volume. The drawer 18 can beused to store containers of scented solutions or antimicrobial solutionsthat can be used to fill the reservoir in the upper end 14 of thehousing 12. The drawer 18 is slidably installed on the lower end of thehousing 12 so that it can be opened and closed by sliding the drawer 18in a horizontal plane. The drawer 18 includes a handle thereon forallowing the user to easily open and close the drawer 18.

Referring now to FIG. 2, there is shown a cross sectional view of thetoilet paper wetting device of the present invention. A water source canbe connected to the present invention so as to supply water thereto.Accordingly, the lower end of the housing 12 includes an opening 25thereon to which a water supply 26 can be connected. The opening 25allows the water supply 26 to be in fluid communication with a firsttube 24 within the housing 12. The first tube 24 is preferably fullyenclosed within the housing 12 so that it is not visible from theexterior of the housing 12. The first tube 24 is positioned verticallyand extends from the lower end of the housing 12, through themidsection, and into the upper end of the housing 12. A first end of thefirst tube 24 is connected to the opening 25 and a second end of thefirst tube 25 is connected to a spray mechanism 27.

The spray mechanism 27 is also in fluid communication with a second tube23 that is used to supply the solution held within the reservoir 22 tothe spray mechanism 27. Preferably, the solution is supplied to thespray mechanism via gravitational flow. The control 20 on the upper endof the housing 12 can be actuated to control whether solution within thereservoir will be dispensed via the spray mechanism 27. When the control20 is depressed, a stopper 29 blocks the second tube 23, preventing thesolution within the reservoir from flowing to the spray mechanism 27.When the control 20 is not depressed, the stopper 29 is withdrawn fromthe second tube 23, allowing the solution to flow therethrough. Any typeof valve can be used to open or close the second tube 23, allowing auser to control whether the solution in the reservoir will flow to thespray mechanism. Thus, the spray mechanism 27 can be operated so as tocause water fed through the first tube 25 and optionally solution fedthrough the second tube 23 to be dispensed through the nozzle 16.

The reservoir 22 can be accessed for refilling via a panel 30 on theupper end 14 of the housing 12. The panel 30 can be pivoted or removedin order to access an opening 34 on the reservoir 22. The user may viewthe level of the solution within the reservoir 22 to determine ifadditional solution is required, and the user can utilize the opening 34to pour additional solution in order to fill the reservoir 22.

Further, the lower end of the housing 12 comprises an upper surfacehaving one or more slots 28 thereon. The upper surface is preferablyconcave such that liquid is funneled towards the center of the uppersurface, preventing liquid from leaking from the sides of the uppersurface. The slots 28 allow liquid to pass through the upper surface andinto the tray 19 thereunder. The tray 19 is slidably positioned withinthe lower end of the housing 12 and can be removed for disposal ofliquid collected therein. Further, a drawer 18 is positioned on thelower end of the housing 12, and beneath the tray 19. The drawer 18 canbe used to store various articles, including containers of solution thatcan be used to fill the reservoir.

Referring now to FIG. 3, there is shown a close-up view of the slots onthe toilet paper wetting device of the present invention. The uppersurface 15 of the lower end of the toilet paper wetting device 11comprises one or more slots 28 thereon. The slots 28 allow water orother liquid dispensed by the toilet paper wetting device to passthrough the upper surface 15 into the tray 19 thereunder. The slots 28may comprise circular openings, elongated rectangular openings, or anyother type of opening that allows liquid to pass therethrough. The traycomprises a bottom wall 32, and upstanding sidewalls therearound,defining an interior volume. The interior volume is adapted to collectliquid that has passed through the slots 28. The tray 19 is enclosedwithin the lower end and can be slidably removed therefrom. Thus, a usermay periodically remove and empty the tray 19 to remove excess liquidthat has collected therein. This prevents liquid from collecting on theupper surface 15 or from spilling off of the device and onto the floor.

Thus, in operation, the user can mount the toilet paper wetting deviceof the present invention to a wall or similar support surface using anysuitable fastener. A water source can be connected to the housing inorder to supply water to the housing. A reservoir positioned in theupper end of the housing can be filled with a scented or antibacterialsolution. The user can then position a desired amount of toilet paperabove the lower end of the housing and beneath the nozzle on the upperend of the housing. The user can actuate a lever on the side of thehousing in order to dispense a mist of water and solution through thenozzle.

It is therefore submitted that the instant invention has been shown anddescribed in what is considered to be the most practical and preferredembodiments. It is recognized, however, that departures may be madewithin the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications willoccur to a person skilled in the art. With respect to the abovedescription then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensionalrelationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations insize, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assemblyand use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in theart, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in thedrawings and described in the specification are intended to beencompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of theprinciples of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications andchanges will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is notdesired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operationshown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications andequivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of theinvention.

I claim: 1) A toilet paper wetting device, comprising: a housing havinga lower end, a midsection, and an upper end; a reservoir adapted tostore a liquid solution therein, wherein said reservoir is in fluidcommunication with a spray mechanism; a first tube in fluidcommunication with said spray mechanism, wherein said first tube isadapted to supply water from a water source; a nozzle disposed on saidspray mechanism, wherein a mixture of water and said liquid solution isdispensed through said nozzle when said spray mechanism is actuated. 2)The toilet paper wetting device of claim 1, wherein said spray mechanismis actuated via one or more levers disposed on said housing. 3) Thetoilet paper wetting device of claim 1, wherein said lower end of saidhousing includes at least one drawer thereon. 4) The toilet paperwetting device of claim 1, wherein said lower end of said housingincludes an upper surface having one or more slots thereon, and whereinsaid lower end of said housing includes a removable tray beneath saidupper surface, such that excess liquid flows through said one or moreslots and is collected in said removable tray. 5) The toilet paperwetting device of claim 1, wherein said lower end of said housingincludes an upper surface having a concave configuration. 6) The toiletpaper wetting device of claim 1, wherein a rear wall of said housingincludes a fastener for mounting said housing to a support surface. 7)The toilet paper wetting device of claim 1, wherein said reservoir ispositioned with an upper end of said housing and wherein said reservoirincludes an opening thereon. 8) The toilet paper wetting device of claim1, wherein said reservoir is positioned within said upper end of saidhousing and is accessible via a removable panel on said upper end ofsaid housing. 9) The toilet paper wetting device of claim 1, furthercomprising a control on said housing adapted to allow a user to controlthe flow of said liquid solution within said reservoir to said spraymechanism, said control adapted to allow a user to prevent said liquidsolution from flowing to said spray mechanism. 10) The toilet paperwetting device of claim 1, wherein said nozzle is directed toward saidlower end of said housing.